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Spring to the Beaches of South Walton ~ Visit South Walton

Garrett Realty Services — Thu, 15 Mar 2012 16:29:09 +0000

This year the first day of spring lands on Tuesday, March 20^th. That means you have exactly 13 weeks and 1 day before the summer heat. The Beaches of South Walton have a calendar full of exciting events to keep you busy outdoors every day this spring!

Music fills the air from March through May in Rosemary, Seaside, and Alys Beach. Spring concerts are offered at 6:00pm every Wednesday and Thursday night. Bring your blanket, beach chair, and a bottle of wine and enjoy the sounds of talented musicians under the stars. For the movie buff, every Friday at 7:30pm take in a spring flick on the green lawn at the Seaside Amphitheatre. All spring concerts and movies are free and open to the public!

This time of year the Beaches of South Walton are famous for hosting our favorite annual events! Digital Graffiti at Alys Beach is the world’s first projection art festival, with artists using the latest technologies to project their original works onto the town’s famous white walls. This event draws over 3,000 guests to its now 2-day event in June!

Seaside hosts the 24^th Annual ArtsQuest and Music Festival. Over 130 international artists fill downtown Seaside with inspiring exhibits. A weekend of live music, artist workshops, KidZone activities, and fabulous fare can be had by all in the month of May!

The 26^th Annual Sandestin Wine Festival takes place in April. Unique wine events over a 4 day period include wine seminars, dinners, auctions, and tastings of over 600 domestic and international wines. Live music, gourmet food, and a never ending supply of wine makes this event a South Walton favorite!

Escape to The Beaches of South Walton this year and experience spring at its best! Come , Visit South Walton, today!

Call Garrett Realty Services @ 1-800-537-5387 for reservations.

www.Artsquestflorida.com www.digitalgraffiti.com www.sandestinwinefestival.com

Valentine’s Day on 30A

Garrett Realty Services — Sat, 11 Feb 2012 16:43:54 +0000

Valentine’s Day is full of excitement, romance, and love… if you’re a woman or a man! Much like a work day, good decisions must be made and mind-reading skills must be sharpened. This day can determine the future or at least get brought up in the future over and over again! So here’s a list of some of South Walton’s Valentine’s Day favorites you won’t go wrong with!

The Naked Grape at Gulfplace is a great place to start! With an extensive wine and beer selection as well as gourmet tapas, this intimate wine bar is the perfect place to begin an evening of romance. Just six miles east and you’ve arrived at the best spot in town to watch the sunset. Bud & Alley’s is famous for their outside, upstairs bar overlooking the green gulf waters.

Next on the list is V in Seagrove Beach for a special Valentine’s Day dinner. This sleek, South Beach style venue is serving a three course meal with a sweet heart theme. Enjoy delicacies such as: Lobster Gnocchi, Strawberry Sweetheart Salad, Pink Rose Pepper Seared Shrimp, and Triple Chocolate Molten Cake. The perfect ending is found at The Red Bar in Grayton Beach where you can dance into the next day to live music in a cozy atmosphere.

Make this the perfect Valentine’s Day and bring your date to 30A!

Of course, for a vacation rental call Garrett Realty Services @ 1-800-537-5387

Article from FLORIDA Travel + Life

Garrett Realty Services — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 04:57:54 +0000

What It’s Like to Live Along … Highway 30A

Ever dream of living in a beach town? Escape the rat race with a hot property along Scenic Highway 30A in Northwest Florida.

by Mike Ragsdale | Photography Tom Tavee

Enlarge Photo

Only a few resort communities possess an entirely original vibe. Northwest Florida’s Scenic Highway 30A — or just 30A, as residents call it — is such a place. This meandering 19-mile stretch of panhandle road, tucked between Destin and Panama City, is actually a string of small beach towns. Deliberately arranged fixtures — from a grove of live oaks to a promon- tory overlooking the Gulf of Mexico — are what set 30A apart. The latter-day history of 30A begins in 1979, when Robert Davis inherited an 80-acre par- cel of white-sand beachfront and turned the remote scrub into a new kind of coastal oasis. The town he built is Seaside; the movement is New Urbanism.

It entails designing traditional enclaves intended to create an enhanced sense of place. Sidewalks, bike paths and old-fashioned white picket fences (no two patterns are alike) make Seaside a walkable and architecturally compelling town. Seaside fostered an innovative impulse that is the germ of 30A’s identity. Planned communities modeled after Seaside quickly sprouted.

Stroll the shaded boardwalks of Rosemary Beach and you’ll think you’ve strayed into Charleston. Just down the road lies the bleach-white enclave of the Mediterranean Alys Beach. WaterColor is a wonderland of parks and Old Florida-style homes. Spectacular architecture embodies the 30A life- style as much as the emerald-green water. Traditional designs in muted pastels with rocking chairs on verandas are reminiscent of The Truman Show (the film was shot in Seaside). True lifelong locals are almost as rare as the coastal dune lakes that loosely link the towns. Most residents call 30A home by choice. “We just decided to move to the beach” is how the story usually begins.

“Each community has its own vibe,” says Julie Brown, who sold her house in Atlanta and moved to Blue Mountain Beach in 2008 with her husband. They prefer living on the western end of 30A. It’s quieter and “home to full-timers,” yet close to the area’s boutiques and dining. In contrast are the resort communities — WaterColor, Rosemary Beach, Alys Beach, WaterSound, Seaside as well as Sandestin — with townlike qualities. Other neighborhoods, such as Blue Mountain Beach, Grayton Beach, Seagrove Beach and Dune Allen Beach, have been on the map for decades but were never branded as resort hamlets.

Brown was taken aback by how many people she and her husband met in their first weeks. “It [30A] is just one road, but, boy, is it tight-knit,” says Brown, who owns Furry Fanatics, a natural pet food store. “I’ll go for a run on the beach or ride my bike on 30A.” On the way home, she might park her bicycle in front of Barago, a restaurant in Grayton Beach known for its homemade Italian fare. “We eat at the bar, which is where all the locals hang out. On any given night, we’ll know half of the people there.”

Dan Bailey moved his family to 30A in 2004 and now lives in his former Seagrove vacation home. Since then, he has opened Amavida, a coffeehouse with one location in Seaside and another one in Rosemary Beach. “It [30A] is all about extraordinary spaces,” he says, noting that this idea inspired his coffeehouse concept. A dramatic thinning of the crowds marks the off-season. Fall is the locals’ favorite. Between the Gulf and the 129-square-mile Choctawhatchee Bay, 30A is insulated, and its ambient temperatures in January and February hover in the low 60s, allowing locals to walk their beloved beaches year-round.

The sense of communal pride inspires locals and wannabes to emblazon their cars with circular Gulf- blue “30A” stickers. Some compare the area to a college-style town for adults, with an out-doorsy population and plenty of boomers in the mix. Artists and musicians have migrated here in abundance. Rocker Sheryl Crow occasionally shows up at the Red Bar in Grayton Beach.

On any given day, you’ll fi nd locals on YOLO (an acronym for “You Only Live Once”) boards, which are used as stand-up paddle boards on the Gulf and 30A’s coastal dune lakes. “When the wind is calm, I’ll take the YOLO board out on the Gulf,” says Blake Morar, a 30A realtor and owner of Destin Real Estate. “You’ll see schools of rays and dolphin as you cruise the shoreline.” It’s an experience he shares with his two sons. Afterward, they head to Amore’s, their favorite Santa Rosa Beach pizzeria, just across the street from the beach access.

“An increasing number of our buyers are in the market for a primary residence,” Morar says. “It’s a developing trend. People are looking to move here for the same reasons I did 15 years ago — they love the beach and they love the energy. Interestingly, we’re seeing a lot of cash buys.”

The recent rebound in sales has been a boon to confidence in the market. For $300,000, Morar says, you can settle into a three-bedroom, 2,000-square-foot home in Seacrest within walking distance of the beach. “Prospective buyers are showing up because they’ve heard great things from friends and family,” Morar says. “They’ve heard that 30A is a different kind of paradise.” 30a.com

Come for a visit…call Garrett Realty Services, Inc., helping the true beach lover find their perfect vacation rental along Scenic 30A, since 1987.

South Walton is the Place!

Garrett Realty Services — Sun, 08 Jan 2012 23:28:45 +0000

“This is the Place” is the title of Susanna Hoffs’ South Walton Single. The songs official launch will take place at the 30A Songwriters Festival next week. However, the song is already a hit thanks to the lyric preview video on YouTube that is viewed regularly and local media.

Susanna Hoffs is not the only Songwriter that our beautiful City of South Walton has inspired. Recent releases such as “Life Shines (The 30A Song)” performed by Bryan Kennedy and written by Kennedy and Mike Ragsdale can be heard on YouTube. The Beaches of South Walton are truly music making material!

Susanna Hoffs will debut her song live at the upcoming Songwriter’s Festival. Music lovers don’t want to miss this event. I guarantee you’ll “like it right here”.

For more information and accommodations, contact Garrett Realty Services @ 1-800-537-5387.

30A ~ A Music Lovers Highway!!!

Garrett Realty Services — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 23:01:19 +0000

30A Songwriters Festival is back by popular demand and only a week away! Voted in 2011 as the hottest Annual Event on 30A, this year over 125 songwriters are ready to turn up the heat for 2012. From January 13^th- 15^th, you can enjoy three full days of folk, country, rock, and alternative music along the beautiful beaches of South Walton, Highway 30A.

Venues vary from intimate settings to open air amphitheaters and include 30A hot spots such as: Gulf Place Amphitheatre, Naked Grape, First Note Music Hall in Blue Mountain Beach, and Bud & Alley’s in Seaside. Performances by The Bangles, Rodney Crowell, Shawn Mullins, Matthew Sweet, Indigo Girls, Joan Osborne, and so many more. Truly a world class event of amazing performances at one of the most beautiful spots in the Country!

For a full list of artists and venues or ticket information visit www.30asongwritersfestival.com. Need accommodations, call Garrett Realty Services @ 1-800-537-5387

A Holiday on South Walton Beaches!!

Garrett Realty Services — Tue, 27 Dec 2011 01:01:27 +0000

There is no better place to be this holiday season than at the beach! This Florida girl’s idea of a white Christmas includes walking in the snow-like sand of South Walton Beaches with my bare feet — where the temperatures are in the mid-to-high 60’s and wearing a scarf and boots never cross my mind!

Along with beautiful beaches that can be enjoyed all year round comes a calendar full of holiday happenings. On specific evenings throughout the week you can find lots of great events and activities going. For instance, try visiting the Seaside Amphitheatre for an outdoor concert under the stars. These concerts feature performances from talented, local musicians. They are free and open to the public. Included in the festivities are outside holiday movies on the big screen, visits with Santa, Art-Walks, and New Year’s Celebrations.

For those who don’t mind the cold, WaterColor presents The Polar Bear Dip. Take the plunge into 2012, on January 1^st at 8:00AM. Meet at the WaterColor Beach Club as you join the other daring dippers into the brisk waters of the Gulf of Mexico — guaranteed to wake you up no matter how hard you partied on New Year’s Eve!

The Beaches of South Walton are made up of 15 beach neighborhoods. Each one with its own unique flare and famous celebrations that call me home for the holidays. Why not make it yours this year?

Travel Zoo’s Destination of the Week: South Walton, FL

Garrett Realty Services — Mon, 03 Oct 2011 21:38:22 +0000

South Walton is TravelZoo’s Destination of the Week

South Walton is being featured as TravelZoo’s Destination of the Week. The Destination of the Week is being promoted on TravelZoo’s homepage and in their Top 20 email which drops to a minimum of 12 million subscribers!

Read and find out what we are all about!!!

Sunsets from our Back Yards!!

Garrett Realty Services — Thu, 02 Jun 2011 15:25:01 +0000

Our sunsets aren’t the only reason to visit our wonderful Paradise!!!

Come Rent & Relax along Scenic 30-A with Garrett Realty Services, Inc.

Summer at the Gulf

Garrett Realty Services — Thu, 02 Jun 2011 15:00:07 +0000

Escape to Florida’s Panhandle, where the water sparkles clearer, the sand shines whiter, and the fun never stops. Our Editor reveals his favorite haunts.

(Post from Southern Living Magazine )

by John Alex Floyd, Jr.

I have vacationed here as a child, as a teenager, as a newlywed, and as a father. My wife and I plan to vacation here when we become empty nesters. That’s not uncommon for those who call this 95-mile stretch of Florida’s Panhandle, simply, The Beach. The lure of the place, once experienced, tugs for a lifetime.

From Destin east to Mexico Beach and Port St. Joe, you’ll find a curious mix of old and new Florida. Posh resorts vie with tiny bungalows. Bustling cities glitter in stark contrast with quaint fishing villages. Fabulous or rustic, tacky or elegant, vibrant or laid-back, the area has something for everyone. The common thread that runs through it all remains the emerald green waters and finest powder-white sand in the world.

Lodging–Family Fun on the Emerald Coast
To newcomers, the discovery is Destin–the sleepy fishing village-turned-mega-destination. Many families or couples spend an entire week here and never have to get into a car. Condos are the lodging of choice. Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort is the area’s largest resort complex and features fine hotel rooms, condominiums, four great golf courses, upscale shopping, and a variety of eateries.

Seaside, the Panhandle’s first planned community, sets a look and style that still gives Scenic Highway 30A, the 19-mile loop off of U.S. 98, a fantasy feel. Next door to Seaside sits the WaterColor Inn and Resort, a swank new spot that opened last year. Nearby you’ll find upscale restaurants, shopping, condos, and private homes. Lodging in the Seaside area costs anywhere from $100 up to any price you want to pay. Rosemary Beach is also a favorite destination in this area.

Panama City Beach is a family beach, a teenage hangout, and a splash of old Florida all rolled into one. Classic family-owned motels have dotted this stretch of sand for decades, though remodeled chain hotels, high-rise condominiums, and private rental homes are common today. Marriott’s Bay Point Resort Village, which is on St. Andrews Bay, sports fine golfing and big-league resort accommodations. But beware: Traffic on Front Beach Road is a tangle on summer nights.

While the coastal towns of Mexico Beach and Port St. Joe are different, they feel the same. They echo the unspoiled scenes from the postcard days of travel. It’s not an area that time forgot, just one devoid of today’s crowds. Your best lodging bets here are beach cottages, bed-and-breakfasts, family-run motels, and beach campgrounds and cabins at St. Joseph Peninsula State Park. (RV campgrounds are in the area too.) The easiest way to find a bunk is to check the cities’ Web sites.

Scenic Cycling

Garrett Realty Services — Wed, 20 Apr 2011 19:42:40 +0000

Bike trail along 30A in South Walton offers scenic route on two wheels

By WENDY VICTORA

Northwest Florida Daily News

April 10, 2011

The wide, paved path stretches over 19 miles, through coastal communities, across bridges, past flowering bushes, wetland plants, colorful shops and state parks.

The Timpoochee Trail, as it is formally named, runs along Walton County’s Scenic Highway 30A from beginning to end.

It’s considered a multi-use path, but about 75 percent of its traffic consists of visitors riding beach cruisers or comfort bikes.

“They park their cars and unless they have to go to the grocery store, they ride their bikes,” said Michele Foreman, who owns 30A Bike Rentals, one of a dozen rental businesses along that stretch.

The bikes, which can be rented for anywhere from a few hours to a week, have one speed and one way to brake, by pedaling backward.

Cyclists sit upright on padded seats, unlike road bikes used by more serious cyclists.

Also popular on paths like Timpoochee Trail are “comfort bikes,” which are similarly styled in that you sit upright, but are equipped with gears and hand brakes.

The bikes are used for recreation, to carry folks along scenic stretches of the partially shaded path. They are also transportation for vacationers who travel back and forth between coastal communities.

“We usually stay in the Seagrove area,” says Jim Rice, an Ohio man who vacations regularly in the area. “So that means we can ride our bikes for breakfast in the morning and Rosemary Beach for lunch.

“We love touring through the little neighborhoods,” he adds. “That’s part of the attraction here — not just the beaches, but the bike path.”

Rental agencies deliver the bikes to visitors and pick them up, which makes it easy for folks just coming into town. They provide combination locks, baskets and helmets. Prices start at $10 for a half-day rental and range from $45 to $75 for a full week.

When the path is crowded, riders have to weave and brake frequently, as well as watch for cars turning in and pulling out of driveways and side streets. That makes it less desirable for serious cyclists.

“It would be better if it were a little safer,” said Bruce Braseth, who owns Dragon Sports in Fort Walton Beach. “But cyclists are just happy to have a bike trail anywhere.”

The trail crosses over or near water a dozen times in the 19-mile stretch. In the open spaces between communities, the path is so quiet you can hear birds singing and the wind rustling through the foliage.

“From spring to summer, it’s always full,” said Jeremy Keeney, who owns Bob’s Bicycles in Mary Esther, adding that he wishes the area had more options for cyclists.

“I think more people would be inclined to get on a bicycle and ride if there were more areas like that.”